2023 National Geoscience Awards: Honored 21 Geoscientists

The 2023 National Geoscience Awards, established in 1966, are a prestigious annual event in India that recognizes individuals and teams for achievements in geosciences. The ceremony conferred by President of India on August 20, 2024.

Overview of the National Geoscience Awards

National Geoscience Awards established in 1966 by the Union Ministry of Mines
Originally called National Minerals Award, renamed in 2009
One of the oldest and most prestigious awards in geosciences
Honors individuals and teams for achievements in geosciences
Conferred annually by the President of India

Award Categories and Criteria

Three main categories:

a) National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement

b) National Young Geoscientist Award

c) National Geoscience Award

Areas of recognition:

- Mineral discovery and exploration
- Mining technology and mineral beneficiation
- Fundamental and applied geosciences

Eligibility: Open to Indian citizens with significant contributions in geosciences

2023 Award Ceremony Highlights

Date: August 20, 2024
Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
Presided by: President Droupadi Murmu
Attended by: Union Minister for Coal & Mines and Minister of State for Coal & Mines

Selection Process and Statistics

240 nominations received across categories
Three-stage screening process
12 awards selected: 9 individual and 3 team awards
21 geoscientists to be honored

Key Winners and Their Achievements

a) Lifetime Achievement Award:

Recipient: Prof. Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee, Emeritus Scientist, INSA

b) National Young Geoscientist Award:

Recipient: Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Assistant Professor, IISER Thiruvananthapuram

c) National Geoscience Awards:

Mineral Discovery and Exploration:
- Two team awards to Geological Survey of India teams
- Individual award: Dr. Pawan Dewangan, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa
Mining, Mineral Beneficiation and Sustainable Mineral Development:
- Dr. Harsh Kumar Verma, Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research
- Prof. Mangadoddy Narasimha, IIT Hyderabad
Basic Geosciences:
- Dr. Rahul Mohan, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa
- Team award to Geological Survey of India
Applied Geoscience:
- Dr. Vikram Vishal, IIT Bombay
- Dr. Bantu Prasanta Kumar Patro, CSIR National Geophysical Research
- Prof. Srimath Tirumala Gudemella Raghu Kanth, IIT Madras

Significance and Impact of the Awards

Recognizes excellence in geosciences research and application
Encourages innovation and advancement in the field
Promotes the importance of geosciences in national development
Inspires young scientists to pursue careers in earth sciences

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